But amid weeks of confusion spurred by the decision to move Michigan's presidential primary to Tuesday, Anthony says she's afraid this could be the first time she feels her vote won't count.

A life-long Democrat, Anthony says she scribbled in Sen. Barack Obama's name on her absentee ballot last week and sent it in, only to learn Wednesday that write-in votes won't count because no candidates in either party registered as write-ins by last Friday's deadline.

AT A GLANCE

What voters need to know about Tuesday's statewide presidential primary:
• You can cast ballots at your usual municipal polling location between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.
• You must show valid photo identification or sign an affidavit that you do not have photo ID to receive a ballot.
• You'll be asked to declare which party primary you would like to participate in.
• The ballot you chose will be recorded and provided to the respective political party, but the candidate selection will remain private.
• A space is available for write-in votes, but write-in candidates will invalidate ballots because no candidates met last week's write-in filing deadline.
• For Democratic Party primary participants, a vote for "uncommitted" is a choice that will send delegates to the party's national convention that are not pledged to any specific candidate.

Since Obama and Democratic Party candidate John Edwards removed their names from the ballot - because the timing of the Jan. 15 primary violates national party rules - Anthony says she'll be forced to vote "uncommitted" when she receives a new ballot from the clerk's office.

"I didn't know what uncommitted meant or what it was there for and I still don't understand it," Anthony said. "I'm gonna vote but I'm upset because it still may not even count when it is all said and done. And that's not fair at all."

If at least 15 percent of Michigan voters choose "uncommitted," the state party will send delegates to the national convention in August who are not pledged to a certain candidate.

But there's no guarantee even those would count since the national party has threatened to exclude Michigan delegates from the national convention in August. The party also has reportedly canceled hotels and other logistical arrangements for them.

Supporters of Sen. Hillary Clinton said that although they don't like it, the confusion could help the former first lady continue the momentum she gained after winning the New Hampshire primary.

Clinton kept her name on the Michigan ballot but pledged not to campaign in the state until later this year if she is the party nominee. That has left some of her strongest supporters dissatisfied.

"I'm a little frustrated because I wish I could be out there campaigning for her, but we'll have to save that energy for the general election I suppose. It's all so strange," said Janine Easter, coordinator of the Ann Arbor Area for Hillary Clinton, a grassroots group of supporters that evolved from a Clinton fan club founded in the 1990s.

The primary could prove to be less frustrating and more exciting for Michigan Republicans. Several front-runners will be crisscrossing the state from today through the primary. Still, it's not controversy-free - the national Republican Party slashed the state's national convention delegation in half.

Nine candidates appear on the state ballot, and Tuesday's vote could be do-or-die for some GOP hopefuls, party leaders say.

"Michigan is positioned to be a make-or-break state for Republican candidates," said Saul Anuzis, state party chairman.

Anuzis said Michigan is a better test of a candidate's general election appeal than most early primary states.

"Michigan is a bellwether political state," he said. "Its citizenry is extremely diverse, and it has a long tradition of independent-minded voters. A Republican who does well in Michigan will do well across the country."

The turmoil is wearing on the voting public, observers say.

"People are angry, quite honestly," said Derrick Jackson, Washtenaw County's director of elections, in describing the dozens of calls from concerned voters. "We try to make it as easy as possible for people to vote, and people feel disenfranchised. It's really unfortunate it worked out like this."

Jackson said voters can take comfort knowing poll workers are trained to handle questions and limit delays caused by requirements to declare a party and provide photo identification, a condition that became mandatory in last November's general election.

Art Aisner can be reached at aaisner@annarbornews.com or 734-994-6823.